Method and device for regulating fluid pump pressures
A method is provided for regulating fluid pump pressures by detecting an elevation differential between a fluid flow control device and the distal end of a fluid line in communication with the fluid flow control device. A fluid flow control device, for instance a peritoneal dialysis device, is at a first height, a distal end of a fluid line is at a second height, and a valved outlet, when open, affords communication between the fluid flow control device and the distal end of the fluid line. The elevation differential is correlatable with a pressure measurable during a calibration procedure provided as a part of the methodology.
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The present application is a divisional of, and therefore claims priority from, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/320,178 filed Dec. 16, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,369), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/612,005 filed Jul. 10, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,062) which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to fluid flow control devices and, more specifically, to regulating pump pressures. In particular, the invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the fluid flow rate in a fluid flow control device while maintaining desired pressure levels. The present invention also relates to systems that can determine the relative elevation of a pump with respect to a distal end of a line in communication with the pump.
BACKGROUND ARTA function of fluid flow control systems is to regulate the rate of distribution of transport fluid through a line. Some examples of fluid control devices are peritoneal dialysis machines and intravenous fluid delivery systems. Fluid flow control systems may include a permanent housing which does not come into direct contact with the transporting fluid and into which a fluid-exposed disposable cassette is placed. Flexible membranes, or other structures that respond to pressure, maintain separation between the permanent and disposable components. Examples of such control systems and their sub-components (in particular, valves) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,778,451, 4,976,162, 5,088,515, and 5,178,182. These patents are all issued to Kamen and are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.
One problem with respect to fluid flow control devices arises in, for example dialysis treatment. Patients want to minimize the time spent hooked up to the peritoneal dialysis machine. In order to satisfy patient demands, the flow rate of the fluid pumped into the patient's catheter may be proportionally increased by increasing the pumping pressure. However, international specifications (for example, EN 50072) regulate the maximum and minimum pressures allowed in the patient's catheter. The maximum positive pressure allowable is set at 150 mm Hg (˜3 psi), and the minimum (or maximum negative, or suction pressure) is set at −75 mm Hg (˜−1.5 psi). Prior art dialysis machines use pumping pressures of about 75 mm Hg (1.5 psi) when pumping fluid into the patient. If the dialysis machine and the patient are at the same elevation, the pressure applied at the pump will be very close to the pressure at the patient's catheter. If, on the other hand, the dialysis machine is elevated above the patient, the pressure at the patient's catheter will be higher than the pressure applied at the pump. Consequently, to insure a margin of safety, the pumping pressure is set well below the maximum allowable pressure to compensate for any uncertainty in the position of the patient relative to the dialysis machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA method is provided for regulating fluid pump pressures based on the relative elevation between a fluid flow control device and a distal end of a fluid line by providing at least one liquid volume in valved communication with the distal end. The pressure measurement of the liquid volume is calibrated, and then valving is opened to establish communication between the liquid volume and the distal end of the fluid line. A pressure associated with the liquid volume is measured, and the fluid pump pressure is adjusted in accordance with the measured pressure.
Preferably, the fluid flow control device has two liquid volumes. A first liquid volume is in valved communication with a second liquid volume. The fluid line is preferably in valved communication with both liquid volumes. The pressures in the liquid volumes are calibrated, and communication between one liquid volume and the distal end of the fluid line is established. A pressure associated with the one liquid volume is measured, and the fluid pump pressure is adjusted in accordance with the measured pressure.
The fluid flow control device preferably includes a control volume for each liquid volume, a transducer for each control volume, and a processor for reading and storing pressure values, computing and identifying a correlation between pressure values, and calculating pressure values based on identified correlations. The processor may estimate the elevation differential based upon the pressure values, and/or regulate fluid pump pressures. The fluid flow control device may also include pressure means for pressurizing a liquid volume. The device may further include one of a wide variety of valve arrangements for controlling fluid communication between the liquid volumes and the distal end of the line. The processor may also control the valve arrangement, the means for pressurizing the liquid volume, and the fluid pump pressure.
In another preferred embodiment, the liquid volume and the control volume themselves are parts of a pump. Preferably, the pump includes a flexible membrane that divides the liquid volume and the control volume. In other embodiments, the fluid flow control device includes a pump.
In a preferred method for detecting the relative elevation between a first location and a second location, a fluid flow control device is provided at the first location with at least one membrane pump in valved communication with the second location. The membrane pump is isolated from the second location, and a pressure transducer of the membrane pump is calibrated. Valving is then opened to establish communication between the membrane pump and the second location. The pressure of the membrane pump is measured, and the relative elevation between the first location and the second location is estimated.
In a further embodiment, calibrating the pressure transducer may include filling the membrane pump with fluid in pressure equilibrium with the pressure at the first location, measuring a first calibration pressure of the membrane pump, filling the membrane pump with fluid in pressure equilibrium with a known (i.e., predetermined or measured) calibration pressure, and measuring a second calibration pressure of the membrane pump. The relative elevation between the first location and the second location may be estimated based on the known calibration pressure, the first calibration pressure, and the second calibration pressure.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A first outlet valve 306 controls the outlet flow from the first liquid volume 302 to the outlet line 204 and a second outlet valve 316 controls the outlet flow from the second liquid volume 312 to the outlet line 204. The outlet flows from the first pump 300 and second pump 310 are, therefore, in fluid communication with each other and with the distal end 208 (see
Referring to
The pressures in the control volumes 301 and 311 are measured in process 504 using the pressure transducers 305 and 315. A transducer may be any instrument for converting a pressure to a signal, preferably an electrical signal. The pressures measured in process 504 are to be correlated to a zero static head (or defined to be zero). Both pump inlet valves 307 and 317 are closed and the occluder bar 205 is activated in process 505. The order of closure and activation is not significant. The effect of process 505 is to isolate the fluid in the liquid volumes 302 and 312 and outlet line 204 upstream of the occluder bar 205. In process 506 both outlet valves 306 and 316 are opened. Opening both outlet valves 306 and 316 enables fluid to be pumped between the two liquid volumes 302 and 312 while keeping the total fluid volume within the liquid volumes 302 and 312 constant.
The first control volume 301 is pressurized in process 507 to a pre-selected positive pressure. The selection of the pre-selected positive pressure is determined by factors such as the expected range of relative elevations and the dynamic range of the pressure transducers 305 and 315. The pressure in the first control volume 301 simulates a known static head. The pressure in the second control volume 311 is measured in process 508 by the pressure transducer 315.
By assuming that the two membranes are identical in their effect on pressure transmission, a relationship is derivable from the two sets of pressure measurements, and calibration constants may be calculated at this point. However, in further preferred embodiments of the invention, processes 507 and 508 are repeated. This time, the first control volume 301 is pressurized using a pre-selected negative pressure in process 509 and the pressure in the second control volume is measured in process 510. In process 511 of this embodiment, a relationship is derived from the three sets of pressure measurements, and calibration constants are calculated.
A computer program product may be employed for implementing the methods of the present invention. The computer program product comprises a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon. The computer readable program may include program code for reading and storing pressure values within the liquid volume 302 or 312, program code for computing and identifying correlations between stored pressure values, program code for calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations, and program code for estimating the elevation differential based upon the calculated pressures. The computer program product may also include program code for calculating a desired fluid pump pressure based upon the elevation differential and program code for adjusting the pump pressure in accordance with the desired pump pressure.
The computer program product may be run on a data processing unit, which acts as a controller. Such a unit may be capable of adjusting the flow rate of fluid being pumped to the distal end 208 by adjusting the pump pressure. For example, if the calculation determined that the distal end 208 of the fluid line 204 and the fluid control system were at the same height, the pump pressure might be safely increased above 75 mm Hg resulting in faster fluid flow rate. Further, all method processes may be performed under processor control. A memory may be provided to store upper limits on safe pressures at the distal end 208 of the line 204 based upon the elevation differential between the distal end 208 and the system. A processor capable of receiving data as to elevation differential could then calculate and control pressure levels.
Although, in the system described herein above, the liquid volumes used to determine the relative elevation are pumps containing membranes, it will appreciated that separate pumps, control volumes, and liquid volumes may be provided and that the liquid volumes and control volumes may be located at a different point from the pumps along the fluid pathway to the distal end of the fluid line. In such an embodiment, the height difference between the liquid volumes and the pumps or control volumes should be constant, so that the height difference is known. It should also be appreciated that the liquid volumes and the pressurizing means need not be at the same location, and that the first and second liquid volumes may likewise be in separate locations.
It will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the claims below.
Claims
1. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium for use on a processor for determining an elevation differential between a first location and a second location, wherein a fluid flow control device is located at the first location, the fluid flow control device including at least one liquid volume in valved communication with the second location, the second location in fluid communication with a distal end of a fluid line, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code including:
- program code for reading and storing pressure values within pumps;
- program code for computing and identifying correlations between stored pressure values;
- program code for calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
- program code for estimating the elevation differential based upon calculated pressures.
2. The computer program product according to claim 1, further comprising:
- program code for calculating a desired pumping pressure based upon the elevation differential; and
- program code for adjusting the pumping pressured within the fluid flow control device in accordance with the desired pumping pressure.
3. A computer program product for use on a processor for regulating fluid pump pressures, wherein a fluid flow control device is located at a first location, the fluid flow control device including at least one liquid volume in valved communication with a second location, the second location in fluid communication with a distal end of a fluid line; the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code including:
- program code for reading and storing pressure values within the pumps;
- program code for computing and identifying correlations between stored pressure values;
- program code for calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
- program code for calculating a desired pumping pressure based on the identified correlations.
4. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon for determining an elevation differential between a first location and a second location, wherein a fluid flow control device is located at the first location, the fluid flow control device including at least one liquid volume in valved communication with the second location, the second location in fluid communication with a distal end of a fluid line, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- calibrating a pressure in the liquid volume;
- establishing communication between the liquid volume and the distal end;
- measuring a pressure associated with the liquid volume; and
- adjusting a fluid pump pressure in accordance with the measured pressure.
5. The computer program product of claim 4 wherein calibrating the liquid volume comprising:
- isolating the liquid volume from the distal end;
- measuring a first calibration pressure of a control volume in pressure communication with the liquid volume;
- pressurizing the liquid volume; and
- measuring a second calibration pressure of the control volume.
6. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- reading and storing pressure values;
- computing and identifying a correlation between the pressure values;
- calculating pressure values based on the identified correlations; and
- estimating an elevation differential based upon the calculated pressures.
7. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- reading and storing fluid pressure values from at least one membrane pump and a distal end of a fluid line;
- computing and identifying a difference between the pressure values; and
- estimating an elevation differential between the at least one membrane pump and the distal end of the fluid line based upon the calculated pressures.
8. The computer program product as claimed in claim 7 further comprising adjusting the pressure of the membrane pump.
9. The computer program product as claimed in claim 8 wherein the at least one membrane pump is a pneumatically actuated membrane pump.
10. The computer program product as claimed in claim 9 wherein the membrane of the membrane pump is a flexible membrane.
11. The computer program product as claimed in claim 10 wherein the membrane pump is formed in a cassette.
12. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pneumatic actuation causes the membrane to press against the cassette.
13. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor that controls a peritoneal dialysis machine, causes the peritoneal dialysis machine to perform operations comprising:
- determining pressure in at least one membrane pump for pumping dialysate, the membrane pump being in fluid communication with at least one valve for controlling flow of dialysate pumped by the membrane pump;
- determining the pressure at a distal end of a fluid line in fluid communication with the membrane pump;
- calculating a pressure differential between the pressure in the at least one membrane pump and the pressure at the distal end of a fluid line; and
- correlating the pressure differential to determine the location of the distal end relative to the pump.
14. The computer program product as claimed in claim 13 further comprising adjusting the pressure of the membrane pump.
15. The computer program product as claimed in claim 14 wherein the at least one membrane pump is a pneumatically actuated membrane pump.
16. The computer program product as claimed in claim 15 wherein the membrane of the membrane pump is a flexible membrane.
17. The computer program product as claimed in claim 16 wherein the membrane pump is formed in a cassette.
18. The computer program product as claimed in claim 17 wherein the pneumatic actuation causes the membrane to press against the cassette.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 25, 2004
Date of Patent: Sep 2, 2008
Patent Publication Number: 20080031746
Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership (Manchester, NH)
Inventors: Larry Gray (Merrimack, NH), Robert Bryant (Manchester, NH)
Primary Examiner: Albert DeCady
Assistant Examiner: Thomas H Stevens
Attorney: Michelle Saquet Temple
Application Number: 10/972,982
International Classification: G05D 9/00 (20060101); E03B 1/00 (20060101); B01D 37/00 (20060101); F04B 49/00 (20060101); F04B 49/10 (20060101); F04B 49/06 (20060101); F04B 53/00 (20060101); A61M 37/00 (20060101);